Comparing auto insurance rates in Hamilton can be a lot of work since there are a lot of options and choosing the right Hamilton car insurance agent takes more work than just using the same car insurance agent as your neighbor. It’s assumed you require not only a decent agent, but you also want to find the best rates possible.
With State Farm, Allstate and Farmers Insurance all competing for business in Hamilton, consumers have a hard time knowing which insurance agency will give you the cheapest rates and the best coverage. Fortunately, you can use online quotes to build a list of insurance agents from which to choose.
Hamilton agents and online quotes
Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local businesses is important particularly in Hamilton.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, the coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Hamilton who will give you bids to get your business. You don’t have to drive around since price quotes are sent directly to your email. How cool is that?!
The different types of insurance agents
If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, there are a couple of different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can influence buying decisions.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, we recommend you contact at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Shown below are independent insurance agencies in Hamilton who can help you get competitive price quotes.
Al Cecere Insurance – 2 S 3rd St # 500 – Hamilton, OH 45011 – (513) 863-5933
Wood Underwriters Agency Inc – 3035 Dixie Hwy – Hamilton, OH 45015 – (513) 852-6355
First Northwest Agency Inc – 2721 Dixie Hwy – Hamilton, OH 45015 – (513) 893-3900
Kolesar Insurance – 444 Park Ave – Hamilton, OH 45013 – (513) 863-1188
Darwish Agency – 103 Brookwood Ave – Hamilton, OH 45013 – (513) 863-8797
Agency Captives
Captive agents can only place business with one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Below are Hamilton captive insurance agents willing to provide comparison quotes.
American Family Insurance – 4421 Hamilton Cleves Rd – Hamilton, OH 45013 – (513) 738-3470
Farm Bureau Federation – 140 Millikin St – Hamilton, OH 45013 – (513) 844-8371
Allstate Insurance – 901 Walnut St # A – Hamilton, OH 45011 – (513) 896-1400
State Farm Insurance – 3991 Hamilton Middletown Rd – Hamilton, OH 45011 – (513) 863-9600
For a full directory of captive agencies in Hamilton, please view this page.
Picking an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Here are some questions to ask:
- How long has their agency been in business in Hamilton?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
Once you have good answers and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that meets your needs to properly service your auto insurance policy.
Can I save by cutting out the agent?
Car insurance agents are perfect for certain consumers, but you can also buy Ohio car insurance direct over the internet. A few companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, who have local Hamilton agents also give you the option to quote and buy online, and consumers should do that if you prefer to buy online.
If you’re uneasy about not receiving proper advice when buying direct, this is a normal reaction for first-time shoppers. Car insurance companies give you access to trained agents to answer any questions you may have. Many online companies also provide online help and live chat that can help answer basic questions.
Does coverage cost less online? It’s difficult to say for sure because there are so many things that impact your rate calculation. Common logic is that a shopper who purchases direct prevents the agent from taking a cut. For the majority of companies, however, there are high advertising and marketing costs and this drives up their premium costs.
The best approach to find out if local insurance agents or online providers are cheaper is to compare price quotes from both. You can actually get different rates from the same car insurance company from their online quote form as compared to an agent. But you won’t know whether the best rates are online or from an agent unless you compare quotes for identical coverages from both.
To learn even more about auto insurance
More information can be read on the website for the Ohio Department of Insurance located here. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, learn about specific coverages, and get help finding coverage.
The following information may also be useful.
- 7 Excellent Ways to Slash Auto Insurance Prices in Hamilton
- Free Guide to Searching Online for a Hamilton Car Insurance Agent
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, poor customer service, unfair underwriting practices or extreme rates for teen drivers. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new company is not as hard as you think.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, an insured cut collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
